US11992086B2 - Articulating footwear strobel with bladder and tensile component - Google Patents

Abstract

A strobel for an article of footwear includes a polymeric bladder defining an interior cavity and configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity. The polymeric bladder has a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity. A first bond secures opposing inner surfaces of the polymeric bladder to one another and extends transversely inward from a medial side of the peripheral flange only partway transversely across the interior cavity. A second bond is rearward of the first bond. The second bond extends transversely inward from a lateral side of the peripheral flange only partway transversely across the interior cavity. A tensile component is disposed in the interior cavity. An outer edge of the tensile component extends transversely inward at and borders a perimeter of the first bond and a perimeter of the second bond.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/173,808, filed Apr. 12, 2021 which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to a strobel for an article of footwear, and, more particularly, a strobel configured as a fluid-filled bladder.

BACKGROUND

Articles of footwear generally include two primary elements: an upper and a sole structure. The sole structure is configured to be located under a wearer's foot to space the foot away from the ground. Mobility, flexibility, support, and cushioning are sometimes competing objectives in designing a sole structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only, are schematic in nature, and are intended to be exemplary rather than to limit the scope of the disclosure.

FIG.1 is a plan view of a top side of a strobel for an article of footwear.

FIG.2 is a plan view of a bottom side of the strobel ofFIG.1.

FIG.3 is a plan view of the top side of the strobel shown relative to a periphery of an article of footwear with the periphery shown in phantom.

FIG.4 is a side perspective view of an article of footwear having an upper shown in partial cutaway and showing the strobel ofFIG.1 disposed in a foot-receiving cavity with a foot shown in phantom resting directly on the strobel.

FIG.5 is a cross-sectional view of the strobel ofFIG.1 taken at lines5-5 inFIG.1.

FIG.6 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the strobel ofFIG.5 showing a peripheral flange of the strobel.

FIG.7 is a cross-sectional view of the strobel ofFIG.1 taken at lines7-7 inFIG.1.

FIG.8 is a cross-sectional view of the strobel ofFIG.1 taken at lines8-8 inFIG.1.

FIG.9 is a plan view of a top side of an alternative example of a strobel for an article of footwear.

FIG.10 is a schematic illustration in exploded view of the strobel ofFIG.1 and a tooling assembly.

DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure generally relates to a strobel for an article of footwear that is configured as an articulating, fluid-filled polymeric bladder. In comparison to a traditional strobel material, the bladder strobel of the present disclosure offers greater cushioning, flexibility, and energy return. Additionally, the bladder strobel may be the foot-receiving surface of the sole structure. Stated differently, no cover or other additional layer need be present between the foot and the bladder strobel. This enables a relatively low overall height of the sole structure, which may be beneficial for some activities. For example, activities that involve extensive lateral movement and/or for which greater tactile feedback is advantageous may benefit from the use of the polymeric bladder strobel disclosed herein.

In an example, a strobel for an article of footwear includes a polymeric bladder defining an interior cavity and configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity. The polymeric bladder has a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity. A first bond secures opposing inner surfaces of the polymeric bladder to one another and extends transversely inward from a medial side of the peripheral flange only partway transversely across the interior cavity. A second bond is rearward of the first bond, and secures the opposing inner surfaces of the polymeric bladder to one another. The second bond extends transversely inward from a lateral side of the peripheral flange only partway transversely across the interior cavity. A tensile component is disposed in the interior cavity and is secured to the opposing inner surfaces of the polymeric bladder. An outer edge of the tensile component extends transversely inward at and borders a perimeter of the first bond and a perimeter of the second bond.

By securing the opposing inner surfaces to one another, the tensile component limits the separation between the opposing inner surfaces due to inflation of the bladder. Stated differently, the tensile component limits the height of the inflated bladder. Because the tensile component borders and does not extend between the inner surfaces at the first bond and the second bond, the bladder is a lesser height at the first bond and the second bond, creating greater flexibility of the bladder at the first and second bonds than at the tensile component. Accordingly, articulation of the bladder tends to occur at the first bond and the second bond under longitudinal or lateral flexing of the foot supported on the bladder. Additionally, because the first bond and the second bond extend from opposite sides of the peripheral flange (the medial side and the lateral side, respectively), with the second bond rearward of the first bond, flexing may tend to occur not only at either or both of the two bonds, but along a line between the two bonds, which will be at an angle to a longitudinal midline of the bladder and extending forward and toward the medial side.

In one or more implementations, the first bond and the second bond may be nonlinear. For example, the first bond may curve rearward from the medial side of the peripheral flange. The second bond may curve forward from the lateral side of the peripheral flange. By each curving in a direction toward the other, flexing along a line that connects the two bonds is encouraged.

The length, width, and overall height of the polymeric bladder may also be optimized for the purposes of the footwear in which it is implemented. For example, the polymeric bladder may extend in a forefoot region and a midfoot region of the strobel and may taper in width in the midfoot region to a rear extent of the fluid-filled cavity. The rear extent may be disposed no further back than a forward half of the heel region. By limiting the components of the strobel largely to the forefoot and midfoot regions and only a forward half of the heel region (if the bladder extends at all into the heel region), the bladder is easier to flex in the longitudinal direction, such as with dorsiflexion of the foot. Because the bladder tapers in width as it extends rearward (e.g., the midfoot region is narrower than the forefoot region) the cushioning and energy return properties of the bladder are focused in the forefoot region and overall bulk of the strobel is minimized.

Moreover, a maximum height of the strobel may be less than or equal to 5 millimeters. In another example, the maximum height may be less than or equal to 5.5 millimeters, or may be between about 4.5 and 5.5 millimeters. The maximum height may be from the foot-facing surface to the ground-facing surface of the strobel. This relatively low height may provide sufficient cushioning and energy return than a greater height without compromising the tactile feedback of the bladder underfoot.

In one or more examples, the tensile component may have an aperture in a forefoot region of the strobel. The aperture may be disposed between a hallux portion and a second toe portion of the forefoot region. The opposing inner surfaces of the bladder may be bonded to one another at the aperture. Accordingly, the fluid-filled interior cavity and the tensile component may surround the bond at the aperture. There is less resistance to flexing of the bladder at the aperture than at the fluid-filled interior, which, due to inflation pressure and the presence of the tensile component, provides greater resistance to flexing and bending than does the bond at the aperture. For example, the aperture may fall near a metatarsophalangeal joint line between the hallux portion and the second toe portion. In this location, the aperture may be disposed between the big toe and the little toe of a wearer at or near the metatarsophalangeal joint line of the wearer.

In addition to the first and second bonds and a bond at the aperture in the tensile component, the peripheral flange may have inward protrusions at notches in the tensile component to promote flexibility of the bladder at those locations. For example, the peripheral flange may have a medial protrusion protruding transversely inward at the medial side of the peripheral flange to define a boundary between a toe section of a forefoot region of the strobel and a metatarsal section of the forefoot region of the strobel. The outer edge of the tensile component may extend transversely inward at and border the medial protrusion of the peripheral flange.

Similarly, the peripheral flange may have a lateral protrusion protruding transversely inward at the lateral side of the peripheral flange to define a boundary between the toe section of the forefoot region of the strobel and the metatarsal section of the forefoot region of the strobel. The outer edge of the tensile component may extend transversely inward at and border the lateral protrusion of the peripheral flange.

The peripheral flange is simply the polymeric material of the bladder. In other words, there is no fluid-filled interior cavity at the peripheral flange. The peripheral flange, being of lesser thickness (e.g., lower height) than the inflated part of the bladder is more easily flexed. Because a foot naturally flexes at the metatarsophalangeal joint, providing the inward protrusions and notches in the tensile component at these locations enhances flexibility while still providing cushioning and flexibility under the toes and the metatarsal heads.

The specific construction of the polymeric bladder may include a first polymeric sheet and a second polymeric sheet secured to one another at and forming the peripheral flange, the first bond, and the second bond. The opposing inner surfaces of the bladder may include a first inner surface of the first polymeric sheet and a second inner surface of the second polymeric sheet. The tensile component may include a first tensile layer secured to the first inner surface, a second tensile layer secured to the second inner surface, and a plurality of tethers spanning the interior cavity from the first tensile layer to the second tensile layer and connecting the first tensile layer to the second tensile layer.

In addition to the bonds of the first sheet to the second sheet at the first bond, the second bond, and at the aperture (if present), the bladder may also have one or more inwardly-protruding partial welds, referred to as partial bonds, at which the thickness of the bladder is reduced, increasing flexibility and promoting flexing of the bladder at the partial weld. For example, the first polymeric sheet may be joined to the first tensile layer at a first partial bond that protrudes inward from the first polymeric sheet toward the second polymeric sheet only partially across the plurality of tethers. Because it extends only partially across the tethers toward the second sheet, the fluid-filled interior cavity is present between the polymeric sheets at the first partial bond. The first partial bond thus creates a narrowing of but not a closure of the interior cavity. Because a bladder of lower height is easier to flex than a bladder with a greater height, the inflated bladder is easier to flex at the narrowed cavity under the first partial bond (e.g., at the reduced height of the bladder at the first partial bond). The first partial bond may extend across the first polymeric sheet from the first bond to the second bond, thereby creating the location at which bending (e.g., flexing) of the bladder will most easily occur.

Similarly, the first polymeric sheet may be joined to the first tensile layer at a transverse partial bond that protrudes inward from the first polymeric sheet toward the second polymeric sheet only partially across the plurality of tethers. The transverse partial bond may extend from the lateral protrusion to the medial protrusion. As such, the transverse partial bond may extend under and track the metatarsophalangeal joints of an overlying foot. If the aperture and central bond are present, the transverse partial bond may extend to the central bond. For example, a lateral portion of the transverse partial bond may extend from the lateral protrusion to the central bond, and a medial portion of the transverse partial bond may extend from the medial protrusion to the central bond.

In one or more examples, the peripheral flange may have a front protrusion protruding rearward from a front of the peripheral flange. The outer edge of the tensile component may extend rearward at and border the front protrusion of the peripheral flange. The first polymeric sheet may be joined to the first tensile layer at a front partial bond that protrudes inward from the first polymeric sheet toward the second polymeric sheet only partially across the plurality of tethers. The front partial bond may extend from the front protrusion rearward toward the transverse partial bond. In examples in which the aperture and central bond are present, the transverse partial bond may extend to the central bond. Accordingly, both the transverse partial bond and the front partial bond may extend from the respective inward protrusions of the peripheral flange to the central bond.

Additional partial bonds that protrude inward from the first polymeric sheet toward the second polymeric sheet only partially across the plurality of tethers may include a toe joint partial bond and/or a middle partial bond. The toe joint partial bond may extend forward of the transverse partial bond and may be non-intersecting with the transverse partial bond and non-intersecting with the front partial bond. For example, the toe joint partial bond may be configured to align with and underlie an overlying joint of a hallux forward of a metatarsophalangeal joint of an overlying foot.

The middle partial bond may extend rearward of the transverse partial bond and forward of the first partial bond, may be non-intersecting with the transverse partial bond and the first partial bond, and may be disposed between the medial side of the peripheral flange and the lateral side of the peripheral flange without extending completely to either side of the peripheral flange. Accordingly, the interior cavity may completely surround the middle partial bond such that the middle partial bond does not fluidly isolate a portion of the interior cavity forward of the middle partial bond from a portion of the interior cavity rearward of the middle partial bond.

Other aspects of the bladder may enable its easy integration within an article of footwear. For example, the peripheral flange may be wider forward of the first bond than rearward of the first bond at both the medial side and the lateral side. The wider peripheral flange in this area may enable it to be easily stitched to a footwear upper. Additionally, the peripheral flange may define a groove extending lengthwise along the peripheral flange from the medial side to the lateral side and forward of the first bond. The groove serves as a visible path for a needle to follow when stitching the upper to the peripheral flange of the bladder.

The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present teachings are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the modes for carrying out the present teachings when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that, even though in the following drawings, embodiments may be separately described, single features thereof may be combined to additional embodiments.

With reference to the drawings, in which like reference numbers refer to like components throughout the views,FIG.1 is a plan view of astrobel10 for an article of footwear12 (shown inFIG.4). Thestrobel10 is configured as an articulating, fluid-filledpolymeric bladder14. InFIG.1, a top side (e.g., a first side) of thestrobel10 is shown. The top side is afirst polymeric sheet16 of thebladder14, also referred to herein as a top sheet. The top side is theexterior surface17 of thefirst polymeric sheet16, which is the foot-receivingsurface17 of thebladder14 and may be the foot-receiving surface of thesole structure22 of the article offootwear12 ofFIG.4. The foot-receivingsurface17 may also be referred to as a foot-facing surface. Optionally, there may be no other layer, cover, or other component of the article offootwear12 between thebladder14 and the wearer. This enables a relatively low overall height of thesole structure22, which may be beneficial for some activities. For example, activities that involve extensive lateral movement and/or for which greater tactile feedback is advantageous may benefit from the use of thestrobel10 disclosed herein. Alternatively, a cover layer (not shown) may overlie thebladder14.

FIG.2 is a plan view of a bottom side (e.g., a second side) of thestrobel10 ofFIG.1. The bottom side is asecond polymeric sheet18 of thebladder14, also referred to herein as a bottom sheet. The bottom side is theexterior surface20 of thesecond polymeric sheet18, which is the ground-facingsurface20 of thestrobel10 when disposed in the article offootwear12.

Thepolymeric bladder14 defines an interior cavity24 (best shown inFIGS.5,7, and8) and configured to retain a fluid in theinterior cavity24. More specifically, thefirst polymeric sheet16 is secured to thesecond polymeric sheet18 at aperipheral flange26 to enclose theinterior cavity24. Stated differently, when thepolymeric sheets16,18 are secured together at theperipheral flange26 and thepolymeric bladder14 is sealed, thefirst polymeric sheet16 and thesecond polymeric sheet18 retain a fluid in theinterior cavity24. As used herein, a “fluid” filling theinterior cavity24 may be a gas, such as air, nitrogen, another gas, or a combination thereof.

The first andsecond polymeric sheets16,18 can be a variety of polymeric materials that can resiliently retain a fluid such as nitrogen, air, or another gas. Examples of polymeric materials for the first andsecond polymeric sheets16,18 include thermoplastic urethane, polyurethane, polyester, polyester polyurethane, and polyether polyurethane. Moreover, the first andsecond polymeric sheets16,18 can each be formed of layers of different materials including polymeric materials. In one example, each of the first andsecond polymeric sheets16,18 is formed from thin films having one or more thermoplastic polyurethane layers with one or more barrier layers of a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl alcohol (EVOH) that is impermeable to the pressurized fluid contained therein such as a flexible microlayer membrane that includes alternating layers of a gas barrier material and an elastomeric material, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,082,025 and 6,127,026 to Bonk et al. which are incorporated by reference in their entireties. Alternatively, the layers may include ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, thermoplastic polyurethane, and a regrind material of the ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer and thermoplastic polyurethane. Additional suitable materials for the first andsecond polymeric sheets16,18 are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,183,156 and 4,219,945 to Rudy which are incorporated by reference in their entireties. Further suitable materials for the first andsecond polymeric sheets16,18 include thermoplastic films containing a crystalline material, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,936,029 and 5,042,176 to Rudy, and polyurethane including a polyester polyol, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,013,340, 6,203,868, and 6,321,465 to Bonk et al. which are incorporated by reference in their entireties. In selecting materials for thebladder14, engineering properties such as tensile strength, stretch properties, fatigue characteristics, dynamic modulus, and loss tangent can be considered. For example, the thicknesses of the first andsecond polymeric sheets16,18 used to form thebladder14 can be selected to provide these characteristics.

Thestrobel10 includes atensile component30 disposed in theinterior cavity24. The outer extent of thetensile component30 is shown in hidden lines within theinterior cavity24 inFIGS.1-4. As is apparent, thetensile component30 substantially follows the irregular border of theinterior cavity24 which begins just inward of and tracks the irregular shape of theinner extent32 of theperipheral flange26 around theouter periphery34 of theinterior cavity24 and theouter edge36 of thetensile component30. In the example shown, theperipheral flange26 extends generally in an X-Y plane of thebladder14, where the Z plane is the plane along the height of thebladder14 from a proximal surface (foot-receiving surface17) to the distal surface (ground-facingsurface20, indicated inFIG.5). Theperipheral flange26 extends around theentire bladder14, and is wider toward the front of thebladder14, as discussed herein.

As best shown inFIG.5, thetensile component30 is secured to opposinginner surfaces38,40 of thepolymeric bladder14. Thetensile component30 includes a firsttensile layer42, a secondtensile layer44, and a plurality oftethers46 spanning theinterior cavity24 from the firsttensile layer42 to the secondtensile layer44. Thetethers46 connect the firsttensile layer42 to the secondtensile layer44. Only some of thetethers46 are indicated with reference numbers inFIG.5. Thetethers46 may also be referred to as fabric tensile members or threads and may be in the form of drop threads that connect the firsttensile layer42 and the secondtensile layer44. Thetensile component30 may be formed as a unitary, one-piece textile element having a spacer-knit textile.

The firsttensile layer42 is bonded to theinner surface38 of thefirst polymeric sheet16, and the secondtensile layer44 is bonded to theinner surface40 of thesecond polymeric sheet18. More specifically, afirst surface bond45 joins theinner surface38 of thefirst polymeric sheet16 to theouter surface48 of the firsttensile layer42. Asecond surface bond50 joins theinner surface40 of thesecond polymeric sheet18 to theouter surface52 of the secondtensile layer44, opposite the firsttensile layer42. Entire interfacing portions of thesurfaces38,48 are bonded to one another, and entire interfacing portions of thesurfaces40,52 are bonded to one another.

Thetethers46 restrain separation of the first andsecond polymeric sheets16,18 to the maximum separated positions shown inFIG.5, which depicts thestrobel10 with theinterior cavity24 of thebladder14 inflated and sealed under a given inflation pressure of gas in theinterior cavity24, so that thestrobel10 is in an inflated state. The outward force on the first andsecond polymeric sheets16,18 due to the pressurized gas in theinterior cavity24 places thetethers46 in tension, and thetethers46 prevent thetensile layers42,44 andpolymeric sheets16,18 from further outward movement away from one another. By securing the opposinginner surfaces38,40 to one another, thetensile component30 limits the separation between the opposinginner surfaces38,40 due to inflation of thebladder14. Stated differently, thetensile component30 limits the height of the inflatedbladder14 to a maximum height H1 from the foot-receivingsurface17 to the ground-facingsurface20 as shown inFIGS.5 and7. The maximum height H1 is less than or equal to 5 millimeters. In another example, the maximum height may be less than or equal to 5.5 millimeters, or may be between about 4.5 and 5.5 millimeters. A relatively low height, such as H1, may provide sufficient cushioning and energy return than a higher height without compromising the tactile feedback of the bladder underfoot. Generally, assuming equal pressures in theinterior cavity24, abladder14 of greater height will provide less tactile feedback. In an example, the article offootwear12 may be especially configured as global football (e.g., soccer) footwear to provide cushioning and energy return while still allowing sufficient tactile feedback.

While thetethers46 limit expansion of thebladder14 as described, thetethers46 do not present resistance to compression when thebladder14 is under a compressive load. When pressure is exerted on thestrobel10 such as due to compressive forces of a dynamic load of a wearer when the article offootwear12 impacts the ground during running or other movements, thestrobel10 is compressed, and thepolymeric sheets16,18 move closer together as thetethers46 collapse (e.g., go slack) in proportion to the load on the first andsecond polymeric sheets16,18 adjacent to theparticular tethers46.

As shown inFIG.10, prior to bonding thetensile component30 to the first andsecond polymeric sheets16,18, thetethers46 of thetensile component30 may all be initial lengths, and in some examples all substantially the same length, and the first and secondtensile layers42,44 connected by thetethers46 may have generally flatouter surfaces48,52, respectively, directly above thetethers46. InFIG.10, thetethers46 are represented in a slackened state as thetensile component30 is not within a sealed interior cavity between thepolymeric sheets16,18 and is not subjected to tension as it is when thebladder14 is in an inflated state and not under a dynamic compressive load.

Referring toFIGS.1 and8, afirst bond54 secures the opposinginner surfaces38,40 of thesheets16,18 of thepolymeric bladder14 to one another and extends transversely inward from amedial side56 of theperipheral flange26 only partway transversely across theinterior cavity24. Asecond bond58 is rearward of thefirst bond54, and secures the opposinginner surfaces38,40 of thepolymeric bladder14 to one another. Thesecond bond58 extends transversely inward from alateral side60 of theperipheral flange26 only partway transversely across theinterior cavity24. Theouter edge36 of thetensile component30 extends transversely inward at and borders aperimeter62 of thefirst bond54 and aperimeter64 of thesecond bond58. Because thetensile component30 borders and does not extend between theinner surfaces38,40 at thefirst bond54 and thesecond bond58, thebladder14 is of a lesser height at thefirst bond54 and thesecond bond58 than at thetensile component30, creating greater flexibility of thebladder14 at the first andsecond bonds54,58 than at thetensile component30. Accordingly, articulation of thebladder14 tends to occur at thefirst bond54 and thesecond bond58 under longitudinal or lateral flexing of a foot supported on thebladder14.

As shown, thefirst bond54 and thesecond bond58 are both nonlinear. Thefirst bond54 curves rearward from themedial side56 of theperipheral flange26. Thesecond bond58 curves forward from thelateral side60 of theperipheral flange26. By each curving in a direction toward the other, the flexibility of thebladder14 along a line that connects the twobonds54,58 is enhanced. Because thefirst bond54 and thesecond bond58 extend from opposite sides of the peripheral flange26 (themedial side56 and thelateral side60, respectively), with thesecond bond58 rearward of thefirst bond54, flexing may tend to occur not only at either or both of the twobonds54,58, but along a line between the twobonds54,58 which is at an angle to a longitudinal midline of thebladder14 and extends forward and toward themedial side56. As further discussed herein, a firstpartial bond66 extends along such a line. The firstpartial bond66 further increases the flexibility of thebladder14 as discussed herein.

FIG.3 is a plan view of the top side of thestrobel10 shown relative to aperiphery68 of thesole structure22 of the article offootwear12 ofFIG.4. Thefootwear12 and thesole structure22 of thefootwear12 have aforefoot region70, amidfoot region72, and aheel region74.FIG.4 is a side perspective view of the article offootwear12 having an upper76 shown in partial cutaway and showing thestrobel10 ofFIG.1 disposed in a foot-receivingcavity78 with a foot80 shown in phantom resting on thestrobel10. As indicated inFIGS.3-4, thefootwear12 may be divided into three general regions: theforefoot region70, themidfoot region72, and theheel region74 which are also the forefoot region, the midfoot region, and the heel region, respectively, of the sole structure22 (including the strobel10) and the upper76. Thefootwear12 also includes alateral side82 and a medial side84 (best shown inFIG.4) opposite to thelateral side82. Thelateral side82 and themedial side84 may be used to refer to the respective sides of the upper76 and thesole structure22.

Theforefoot region70 generally includes portions of the article offootwear12 corresponding with the toes and the joints connecting the metatarsals with the phalanges (e.g., the metatarsophalangeal joints). Themidfoot region72 generally includes portions of the article offootwear12 corresponding with the arch area of the foot, and theheel region74 corresponds with rear portions of the foot, including the calcaneus bone. Thelateral side82 and themedial side84 extend through each offorefoot region70, themidfoot region72, and theheel region74 and correspond with opposite sides of the article offootwear12. Theforefoot region70, themidfoot region72, theheel region74, thelateral side82 and themedial side84 are not intended to demarcate precise areas offootwear12, but are instead intended to represent general areas offootwear12 to aid in the following discussion.

Referring toFIG.3, theforefoot region70 of thestrobel10 includes ahallux portion86 and asecond toe portion88. Thehallux portion86 extends forward from a metatarsophalangealjoint line90 to an outer periphery92 of theflange26, and from themedial side56 of theflange26 to aboundary94 between thehallux portion86 and thesecond toe portion88. The positions of the metatarsophalangealjoint line90, thehallux portion86, and thesecond toe portion88 may be based on population averages of the corresponding portions of feet of a size corresponding with the size of the article offootwear12 in which thestrobel10 is disposed.

Thetensile component30 may have anaperture96 in theforefoot region70 of thestrobel10. InFIG.1, theaperture96 is shown disposed between thehallux portion86 and thesecond toe portion88 and along the metatarsophalangealjoint line90. As best shown inFIG.7, the opposinginner surfaces38,40 of the first andsecond polymeric sheets16,18 of thebladder14 are bonded to one another at theaperture96 at acentral bond100. The fluid-filledinterior cavity24 and thetensile component30 surround thecentral bond100 at theaperture96. Thebladder14 is only the height of the twopolymeric sheets16,18 stacked together at thecentral bond100, which is less than the height of the surroundinginterior cavity24. There is therefore less resistance to flexing of thebladder14 at theaperture96 than at the fluid-filledinterior cavity24, which, due to inflation pressure (if inflated above ambient pressure) and the presence of thetensile component30, provides greater resistance to flexing and bending than does thecentral bond100. An area between the hallux and the second toe is a natural flex area for a foot80 such as when making a lateral move (a move at least partially in a transverse direction), thecentral bond100 enhances the flexibility of thestrobel10. Additionally, because the foot80 naturally flexes along the metatarsophalangealjoint line90, if thecentral bond100 also falls along the metatarsophalangealjoint line90, thecentral bond100 further increases flexibility of thestrobel10 when disposed in this location.

As is evident inFIGS.3 and4, thepolymeric bladder14 extends in theforefoot region70 and themidfoot region72 of thefootwear12 and tapers in width (in the transverse direction) in themidfoot region72 in a rearward direction (e.g., in a direction from theforefoot region70 toward theheel region74 of the footwear12) to arear extent93 of the fluid-filledinterior cavity24 that is disposed no further back than aforward half74A of theheel region74. In other examples, therear extent93 may be in themidfoot region72. Arear extent95 of thebladder14 and of the strobel10 (e.g., a rear extent of the peripheral flange26) is also in theforward half74A of theheel region74. By limiting the components of thestrobel10 largely to the forefoot andmidfoot regions70,72 and only aforward half74A of the heel region74 (if thebladder14 extends at all into the heel region74), thebladder14 is easier to flex in the longitudinal direction with dorsiflexion of the foot80. Because thebladder14 tapers in width as it extends rearward (e.g., the portion of thebladder14 in themidfoot region72 is narrower than the portion of thebladder14 in the forefoot region70) the cushioning and energy return properties of thebladder14 are focused in theforefoot region70 and overall bulk of thestrobel10 is minimized.

Referring again toFIG.1, in addition to thefirst bond54, thesecond bond58, and acentral bond100 at theaperture96 in thetensile component30, theperipheral flange26 of thebladder14 may haveinward protrusions102,108, and110 atcorresponding notches107,109, and113 in thetensile component30 to promote flexibility of thebladder14 at those locations. For example, theperipheral flange26 may have amedial protrusion102 protruding transversely inward at themedial side56 of theperipheral flange26 to define a boundary between atoe section104 of theforefoot region70 of thestrobel10 and ametatarsal section106 of theforefoot region70. The boundary between thetoe section104 and themetatarsal section106 is also defined by the metatarsophalangealjoint line90 as themedial protrusion102 falls along the metatarsophalangealjoint line90. Accordingly, thetoe section104 of theforefoot region70 is forward of the metatarsophalangealjoint line90 and themedial protrusion102, and themetatarsal section106 is rearward of the metatarsophalangealjoint line90 and themedial protrusion102. Theouter edge36 of thetensile component30 has a notch107 (seeFIG.1) at which thetensile component30 extends transversely inward at and borders themedial protrusion102.

Alateral protrusion108 of theperipheral flange26 protrudes transversely inward at thelateral side60 of theperipheral flange26 to further define the boundary between thetoe section104 and themetatarsal section106 as thelateral protrusion108 falls along the metatarsophalangealjoint line90. Theouter edge36 of thetensile component30 has a notch109 (seeFIG.1) at which thetensile component30 extends transversely inward at and borders thelateral protrusion108. Because theperipheral flange26 is simply the polymeric material of thebladder14 with no fluid-filledinterior cavity24 between thesheets16,18 of theperipheral flange26, theperipheral flange26 is thinner (e.g., lower height) than the inflated part of the bladder14 (e.g., at the interior cavity24) and so is more easily flexed at theprotrusions102,108.

Additionally, theperipheral flange26 has afront protrusion110 protruding rearward from afront112 of theperipheral flange26 as shown inFIG.3. Thefront protrusion110 may fall along theboundary94 between thehallux portion86 and thesecond toe portion88 of theforefoot region70. Theouter edge36 of thetensile component30 has a notch113 (seeFIG.1) at which thetensile component30 extends rearward and borders thefront protrusion110. Because the foot80 naturally flexes at the metatarsophalangeal joint and between the hallux and the second toe, providing theinward protrusions102,108, and110 andnotches107,109, and113 in thetensile component30 at corresponding locations enhances flexibility while still providing cushioning and flexibility under the toes and the metatarsal heads of the foot80.

In addition to the bonds of thefirst polymeric sheet16 to thesecond polymeric sheet18 at thefirst bond54, thesecond bond58, and the central bond100 (if theaperture96 is present), thebladder14 may also have one or more inwardly-protruding partial welds, also referred to as partial bonds, that reduce the thickness (e.g., the height) of thebladder14 at the partial bond without bonding theinner surfaces38,40 to one another. This increases flexibility and promotes flexing of thebladder14 at the partial weld. For example, referring toFIG.1, thefirst polymeric sheet16 may be joined to the firsttensile layer42 at a firstpartial bond66 that protrudes inward from thefirst polymeric sheet16 toward thesecond polymeric sheet18 only partially across the plurality oftethers46. Because it extends only partially across thetethers46 toward thesecond sheet18, the fluid-filledinterior cavity24 is present between thesheets16,18 at the firstpartial bond66. The firstpartial bond66 thus creates a narrowing of but not a closure of theinterior cavity24. If a cross-section is taken across thepartial bond66, perpendicular to the cross-section shown inFIG.8, the height of thebladder14 is greater on either side of the firstpartial bond66 at such a cross-section, similar to the height of thebladder14 being greater on either side of transversepartial bond120 as shown inFIG.5. Because abladder14 with a lesser height is easier to flex than abladder14 with a greater height, assuming equal fluid pressures, the inflatedbladder14 is easier to flex at the narrowedinterior cavity24 under the first partial bond66 (e.g., at the reduced height of thebladder14 at the first partial bond66). The firstpartial bond66 extends across thefirst polymeric sheet16 from thefirst bond54 to thesecond bond58, thereby creating a location at which bending (e.g., flexing) of thebladder14 will most easily occur. The reduced thickness of thebladder14 is uninterrupted from thefirst bond54, along the firstpartial bond66, to thesecond bond58.

Similarly, thefirst polymeric sheet16 may be joined to the firsttensile layer42 at a transversepartial bond120 that protrudes inward from thefirst polymeric sheet16 toward thesecond polymeric sheet18 only partially across the plurality oftethers46. The transversepartial bond120 is shown inFIG.1 and in cross-section at bothFIGS.5 and7, and extends from thelateral protrusion108 to themedial protrusion102, interrupted only by thecentral bond100 in examples having such. The transversepartial bond120 extends along the metatarsophalangealjoint line90 to track the metatarsophalangeal joints of an overlying foot. If theaperture96 andcentral bond100 are present, the transversepartial bond120 may extend to thecentral bond100. For example, a lateral portion120A of the transversepartial bond120 may extend from thelateral protrusion108 to thecentral bond100, and a medial portion120B of the transversepartial bond120 may extend from themedial protrusion102 to thecentral bond100.

Thebladder14 may also have a frontpartial bond122 at which thefirst polymeric sheet16 is joined to the firsttensile layer42. The frontpartial bond122 protrudes inward from thefirst polymeric sheet16 toward thesecond polymeric sheet18 only partially across the plurality oftethers46. The frontpartial bond122 extends from thefront protrusion110 rearward toward the transversepartial bond120. In examples in which theaperture96 andcentral bond100 are present, the frontpartial bond122 extends to thecentral bond100. Accordingly, both the transversepartial bond120 and the frontpartial bond122 extend from the respectiveinward protrusions102,108, and110 of theperipheral flange26 to thecentral bond100.FIG.9 shows an example of astrobel10A with abladder114 alike in all aspects tobladder14 except that theaperture96 and thecentral bond100 are not present. In thebladder114, the frontpartial bond122 extends to the transversepartial bond120 as the transversepartial bond120 is not interrupted by anycentral bond100.

Additional partial bonds that protrude inward from thefirst polymeric sheet16 toward thesecond polymeric sheet18 only partially across the plurality oftethers46 may include a toe jointpartial bond124 and/or a middlepartial bond126. The toe jointpartial bond124 extends forward of and is non-intersecting with the transversepartial bond120 and non-intersecting with the frontpartial bond122. The toe jointpartial bond124 is configured to align with and underlie an overlying joint of a hallux of the foot80 forward of the metatarsophalangeal joint of the overlying foot80.

The middlepartial bond126 extends rearward of the transversepartial bond120 and forward of the firstpartial bond66, and is non-intersecting with the transversepartial bond120 and the firstpartial bond66. The middlepartial bond126 is disposed between themedial side56 of theperipheral flange26 and thelateral side60 of theperipheral flange26 without extending completely to eitherside56,60. The middlepartial bond126 has amedial end126A terminating transversely inward of and spaced apart from themedial side56 of theperipheral flange26, and alateral end126B terminating transversely inward of and spaced apart from thelateral side60 of theperipheral flange26. Accordingly, theinterior cavity24 completely surrounds the middlepartial bond126 such that the middlepartial bond126 does not fluidly isolate a portion of theinterior cavity24 forward of the middlepartial bond126 from a portion of theinterior cavity24 rearward of the middlepartial bond126.

Although thetethers46 may be originally of the same length and theouter surfaces48,52 of the first and secondtensile layers42,44 and the exterior surfaces17,20 of the first andsecond polymeric sheets16,18, respectively, may originally be generally flat directly above the tethers (e.g., not contoured) prior to forming thestrobel10, thepartial bonds66,120,122124, and126 that join thefirst polymeric sheet16 to the firsttensile layer42 protrude inward from thefirst polymeric sheet16 toward thesecond polymeric sheet18 directly into a region of theinterior cavity24 occupied by some of thetethers46. Eachpartial bond66,120,122124, and126 protrudes farther toward thesecond polymeric sheet18 than thefirst surface bond45. Thepartial bonds66,120,122124, and126 protrude inward from thefirst polymeric sheet16 only partially across the plurality oftethers46 toward thesecond polymeric sheet18, and thepolymeric bladder14 is narrowed at thepartial bonds66,120,122124, and126. For example, thepartial bonds66,120,122124, and126 (as well as the bond at theperipheral flange26, the first andsecond bonds54,58, and the central bond100) may be formed by a welding process, such as radio frequency or ultrasonic welding using tooling that results in thermal bonds in thepolymeric bladder14. Eachpartial bond66,120,122124, and126 results from arespective protrusion128 of a mold component such asmold insert130 ofFIG.10. Themold insert130 has a pattern of protrusions in a spacing that result in thepartial bonds66,120,122124, and126. For purposes of discussion, only oneprotrusion128 is shown at the cross-section ofFIG.10. Theprotrusion128 contacts thefirst polymeric sheet16 during manufacturing of thebladder14.

Thepartial bonds66,120,122124, and126 result indepressed grooves132 at the foot-receivingsurface17 of thefirst polymeric sheet16. Onedepressed groove132 is shown inFIG.5 at the lateral portion120A of thepartial bond120.FIG.7 is taken along the length of the medial portion120B of thepartial bond120. Accordingly, the portion ofFIG.7 to the left of thecentral bond100 is along the length of adepressed groove132, as indicated by the lesser height H2 of the left portion in comparison to the height H1 of the portion to the right of thecentral bond100.FIG.8 is likewise taken along a length of thepartial bond66 and therefore along a length of thedepressed groove132, as indicated by the lower height H2. In the example shown, thepartial bonds66,120,122124, and126 are only at thefirst polymeric sheet16 protruding inward toward thesecond polymeric sheet18, as amold insert134 placed adjacent thesecond sheet18 inFIG.10 has no protrusions aligned with thetensile component30. Optionally, themold insert134 could also have protrusions to result in partial bonds extending inward toward thefirst sheet16 from thesecond sheet18.

Eachpartial bond66,120,122124, and126 partially traverses the plurality oftethers46 as shown with respect topartial bond120 inFIG.5. Stated differently, thepartial bonds66,120,122124, and126 are directly outward of different ones of thetethers46 and protrude inward on thosetethers46. Thetethers46 may be arranged in rows, with each row extending transversely between thetensile layers42,44, or in any other pattern in which thetethers46 extend between thetensile layers42,44. Various different ones of thetethers46 are aligned with thepartial bonds66,120,122124, and126.

Tethers46 that are aligned with thepartial bonds66,120,122124, and126 are deformed by heat, by compression of the overlaying material of the firsttensile layer42, and/or by the overlaying material of the firsttensile layer42 coating thetethers46 such that thetethers46 are shorter, thicker, or both shorter and thicker at thepartial bonds66,120,122124, and126 than elsewhere (e.g., than away from thepartial bonds66,120,122,124, and126). Such deformed tethers are indicated withreference numeral46A inFIG.5 and may be referred to as modifiedtethers46A.

When theinterior cavity24 is inflated, the modifiedtethers46A result in thedepressed grooves132 in the foot-receivingsurface17 of thefirst polymeric sheet16 as indicated inFIG.5. When an inflation pressure of the gas in theinterior cavity24 is sufficient to tension the plurality oftethers46, the inwardly-protrudingpartial bonds66,120,122124, and126 definegrooves132 at the foot-receivingsurface17 of thefirst polymeric sheet16. At eachdepressed groove132, thestrobel10 is divided into what may be referred to as a first article portion on one side of thedepressed groove132 and a second article portion on the other side of thedepressed groove132. The first article portion is articulated relative to the second article portion along thedepressed groove132. Stated differently, the foot-receivingsurface17 of thefirst polymeric sheet16 is non-planar at thedepressed groove132.

The tension of the modifiedtethers46A also causesrecesses136 in the ground-facingsurface20 of thesecond polymeric sheet18 that are aligned with the depressed grooves132 (seeFIGS.5,7, and8). Thesecond polymeric sheet18 is recessed inward toward a correspondingdepressed groove132 and inwardly-protrudingpartial bond66,120,122124, or126 at eachrecess136 when theinterior cavity24 is inflated.

The physical deformation of thefirst polymeric sheet16 and the firsttensile layer42 combined with the tension of the modifiedtethers46A will cause thedepressed grooves132 to be deeper than therecesses136, which result only from the tension of the shortened modifiedtethers46A. Accordingly, thebladder14 may have an articulated shape (such as when inflated, not assembled with or constrained by other components, and not under loading), causing thebladder14 to be slightly concave at the foot-receivingsurface17 and slightly convex at the ground-facingsurface20. Thestrobel10 will thus be biased to an articulated shape, as thedepressed grooves132 and recesses136 together encourage articulation of thestrobel10 to occur at thedepressed grooves132, as the overall thickness of thestrobel10 is reduced at thedepressed grooves132, decreasing bending stiffness of thestrobel10 at thedepressed grooves132. Due to thedepressed grooves132 and the further narrowing of thebladder14 by the correspondingrecesses136, as discussed above, the inwardly-protrudingpartial bonds66,120,122,124, and126 act as flexion axes of thebladder14 thereby increasing flexibility of thesole structure22 when thestrobel10 is included in thesole structure22 of the article offootwear12 as inFIG.4.

Eachpartial bond66,120,122,124, and126 is spaced apart from thesecond polymeric sheet18 such that theinterior cavity24 is narrowed but not closed at thepartial bond66,120,122,124, and126, and the gas in theinterior cavity24 can still fluidly communicate across thepartial bond66,120,122,124, and126. The modified tethers46A are narrow in diameter and allow gas to flow around and between thetethers46A. This allows the gas to be displaced from theinterior cavity24 at one side of thetethers46A to theinterior cavity24 at the other side of thetethers46A when compressive forces are applied to thestrobel10, such as during impact of the article offootwear12 with the ground. For example, as a foot rolls forward from heel to toe during a foot strike, the gas may be displaced from rearward in thebladder14 to a portion more forward in thebladder14. Supportive cushioning provided by the fluid in theinterior cavity24 can thus be continuously provided in areas most needed during use of thestrobel10.

Factors that may influence thepartial bonds66,120,122,124, and126 and the extent of their protrusion toward thesecond polymeric sheet18 can be controlled to provide a desired narrowing. Such factors may include the depth of theprotrusions128 that create thepartial bonds66,120,122,124, and126, the temperature of themold insert130 or other mold components, the temperature of the components of the strobel10 (e.g., thepolymeric sheets16,18 and the tensile component30), vacuum and/or inflation pressures in the mold cavity during manufacturing, the weld power or weld frequency if radio frequency welding is used, and other factors.

Other aspects of thebladder14 may enable its easy integration within the article offootwear12. For example, as shown inFIG.1, theperipheral flange26 is wider forward of thefirst bond54 than rearward of thefirst bond54 at both themedial side56 and thelateral side60. The widerperipheral flange26 in this area enables it to be easily stitched or otherwise secured to the footwear upper76. Additionally, theperipheral flange26 defines agroove140 extending lengthwise along theperipheral flange26 from themedial side56 to thelateral side60 and forward of thefirst bond54. Thegroove140 may serve as a visible path for a needle to follow when stitching the upper76 to theperipheral flange26 of thebladder14, for example.

With reference toFIG.6, theperipheral flange26 has a first weld W1 and a second weld W2 spaced apart from the first weld W1. The first weld W1 and the second weld W2 cause the first andsecond polymeric sheets16,18 to bond to one another at aninterface141 at the welds W1, W2. The welds W1 and W2 may be formed by using themold assembly144 ofFIG.10 that includesmold portions144A,144B. Themold portions144A,144B are closed together on thepolymeric sheets16,18, with thetensile component30 between thepolymeric sheets16,18. Thepolymeric sheets16,18 andtensile component30 are then welded by radio frequency welding (also referred to as high frequency or dielectric welding) or are secured by another manner of thermal or adhesive bonding, as apower source146 supplies energy creating an alternating electric field that heats thepolymeric sheets16,18 where themold portions144A,144B or mold inserts130,134 are applied to thepolymeric sheets16,18. In an example with welds W1, W2 on both sides of theperipheral flange26 as inFIG.6, both mold inserts130,134 includeridges148A,148B that cause the respective welds W1, W2. In other examples, the welds W1 W2 and groove140 may be only on the top side or only on the bottom side of theflange26. Because thepolymeric sheets16,18 may be transparent, thegroove140 may be visible on the opposite side when only provided on one side.

The first weld W1 and the second weld W2 extend lengthwise along theperipheral flange26. As best shown inFIG.1, the first weld W1 and the second weld W2 extend continuously along only the wider portion of the peripheral flange26 (from thelocation151 on themedial side56, around the front of thebladder14, to thelocation153 on thelateral side60. Thegroove140 extends lengthwise along theperipheral flange26 between the first weld W1 and the second weld W2. The first weld W1 is inward of thegroove140 and the second weld W2 is outward of thegroove140 where inward is toward the center of thebladder14 and outward is away from the center of thebladder14.

Referring toFIGS.1 and6, heating and pressure of themold assembly144 at the welds W1 and W2 may displace some of the material of thepolymeric sheets16,18 so that theperipheral flange26 may include afirst ridge150 protruding from theperipheral flange26 between the first weld W1 and thegroove140, and asecond ridge152 protruding from theperipheral flange26 between the second weld W2 and thegroove140. Theridges150,152 help to define the sides of thegroove140.

Thestrobel10 may be disposed in thesole structure22 for a right foot article offootwear12 as inFIG.4, or may be flipped over for disposing in a sole structure for a left foot article of footwear. In either case, one of the twogrooves140 will be in the same position relative to the upper76 in both instances to serve as a guide for stitching or other securement modes. In examples having agroove140 on only one of the sides (in thetop sheet16 or the bottom sheet18) of theperipheral flange26, because thepolymeric sheets18,16 may be transparent, thegroove140 may be visible at the distal side even in examples in which agroove140 is provided only on the proximal side and vice versa.

The following Clauses provide example configurations of a strobel for an article of footwear disclosed herein.

Clause 1. A strobel for an article of footwear, the strobel comprising: a polymeric bladder defining an interior cavity and configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity, the polymeric bladder having a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity; a first bond securing opposing inner surfaces of the polymeric bladder to one another and extending transversely inward from a medial side of the peripheral flange only partway transversely across the interior cavity; a second bond rearward of the first bond, securing the opposing inner surfaces of the polymeric bladder to one another, and extending transversely inward from a lateral side of the peripheral flange only partway transversely across the interior cavity; and a tensile component disposed in the interior cavity and secured to the opposing inner surfaces of the polymeric bladder; wherein an outer edge of the tensile component extends transversely inward at and borders a perimeter of the first bond and a perimeter of the second bond.

Clause 2. The strobel of clause 1, wherein the polymeric bladder extends in a forefoot region and a midfoot region of the strobel and tapers in width in the midfoot region to a rear extent of the tensile component.

Clause 3. The strobel of any of the preceding clauses, wherein: the tensile component has an aperture in a forefoot region of the strobel disposed between a hallux portion and a second toe portion of the forefoot region; and the opposing inner surfaces are bonded to one another at the aperture.

Clause 4. The strobel of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the first bond and the second bond are nonlinear.

Clause 5. The strobel of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the first bond curves rearward from the medial side of the peripheral flange.

Clause 6. The strobel of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the second bond curves forward from the lateral side of the peripheral flange.

Clause 7. The strobel of any of the preceding clauses, wherein: the polymeric bladder includes a first polymeric sheet and a second polymeric sheet secured to one another at and forming the peripheral flange, the first bond, and the second bond; the opposing inner surfaces including a first inner surface of the first polymeric sheet and a second inner surface of the second polymeric sheet; and the tensile component includes a first tensile layer secured to the first inner surface, a second tensile layer secured to the second inner surface, and a plurality of tethers spanning the interior cavity from the first tensile layer to the second tensile layer and connecting the first tensile layer to the second tensile layer.

Clause 8. The strobel of any of the preceding clauses, wherein; the first polymeric sheet is joined to the first tensile layer at a first partial bond that protrudes inward from the first polymeric sheet toward the second polymeric sheet only partially across the plurality of tethers; and the first partial bond extends across the first polymeric sheet from the first bond to the second bond.

Clause 9. The strobel of any of the preceding clauses, wherein: the peripheral flange has a medial protrusion protruding transversely inward at the medial side of the peripheral flange to define a boundary between a toe section of a forefoot region of the strobel and a metatarsal section of the forefoot region of the strobel; and the outer edge of the tensile component extends transversely inward at and borders the medial protrusion of the peripheral flange.

Clause 10. The strobel of any of the preceding clauses, wherein: the peripheral flange has a lateral protrusion protruding transversely inward at the lateral side of the peripheral flange to define a boundary between a toe section of a forefoot region of the strobel and a metatarsal section of the forefoot region of the strobel; and the outer edge of the tensile component extends transversely inward at and borders the lateral protrusion of the peripheral flange.

Clause 11. The strobel of any of the preceding clauses, wherein: the peripheral flange has a medial protrusion protruding transversely inward at the medial side of the peripheral flange between the toe section and the metatarsal section of the forefoot region of the strobel; and the outer edge of the tensile component extends transversely inward at and borders the medial protrusion of the peripheral flange.

Clause 12. The strobel of any of the preceding clauses, wherein: the polymeric bladder includes a first polymeric sheet and a second polymeric sheet secured to one another at and forming the peripheral flange, the first bond, and the second bond; the opposing inner surfaces including a first inner surface of the first polymeric sheet and a second inner surface of the second polymeric sheet; the tensile component includes a first tensile layer secured to the first inner surface, a second tensile layer secured to the second inner surface, and a plurality of tethers spanning the interior cavity from the first tensile layer to the second tensile layer and connecting the first tensile layer to the second tensile layer; the first polymeric sheet is joined to the first tensile layer at a transverse partial bond that protrudes inward from the first polymeric sheet toward the second polymeric sheet only partially across the plurality of tethers; and the transverse partial bond extends from the lateral protrusion to the medial protrusion.

Clause 13. The strobel of any of the preceding clauses, wherein: the peripheral flange has a front protrusion protruding rearward from a front of the peripheral flange; the outer edge of the tensile component extends rearward at and borders the front protrusion of the peripheral flange; the first polymeric sheet is joined to the first tensile layer at a front partial bond that protrudes inward from the first polymeric sheet toward the second polymeric sheet only partially across the plurality of tethers; and the front partial bond extends from the front protrusion rearward toward the transverse partial bond.

Clause 14. The strobel of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the tensile component has an aperture in the forefoot region of the strobel disposed between a hallux portion and a second toe portion of the toe section; the opposing inner surfaces are bonded to one another at a central bond at the aperture of the tensile component; and the transverse partial bond and the front partial bond extend to the central bond.

Clause 15. The strobel of any of the preceding clauses, wherein: the first polymeric sheet is joined to the first tensile layer at a toe joint partial bond that protrudes inward from the first polymeric sheet toward the second polymeric sheet only partially across the plurality of tethers; and the toe joint partial bond extends forward of the transverse partial bond and is non-intersecting with the transverse partial bond and non-intersecting with the front partial bond.

Clause 16. The strobel of any of the preceding clauses, wherein: the first polymeric sheet is joined to the first tensile layer at a first partial bond that protrudes inward from the first polymeric sheet toward the second polymeric sheet only partially across the plurality of tethers; the first partial bond extends across the first polymeric sheet from the first bond to the second bond; the first polymeric sheet is joined to the first tensile layer at a middle partial bond that protrudes inward from the first polymeric sheet toward the second polymeric sheet only partially across the plurality of tethers; and the middle partial bond extends rearward of the transverse partial bond and forward of the first partial bond, and is non-intersecting with the transverse partial bond and the first partial bond.

Clause 17. The strobel of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the peripheral flange is wider forward of the first bond than rearward of the first bond at both the medial side and the lateral side.

Clause 18. The strobel of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the peripheral flange defines a groove extending lengthwise along the peripheral flange from the medial side to the lateral side and forward of the first bond.

Clause 19. The strobel of any of the preceding clauses, wherein a maximum height of the strobel is less than or equal to 5 millimeters.

Clause 20. A strobel for an article of footwear, in particular according to any of the proceeding clauses, the strobel comprising: a polymeric bladder defining an interior cavity and configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity, the polymeric bladder having a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity; and a tensile component disposed in the interior cavity and secured to opposing inner surfaces of the polymeric bladder; wherein the tensile component has an aperture in a forefoot region of the strobel between a hallux portion and a second toe portion of the forefoot region; and wherein the opposing inner surfaces are bonded to one another at the aperture.

Clause 21. The strobel of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the peripheral flange has a medial protrusion protruding transversely inward at a medial side of the peripheral flange in the forefoot region and a lateral protrusion protruding transversely inward at a lateral side of the peripheral flange in the forefoot region; and wherein an outer edge of the tensile component extends transversely inward at and borders the medial protrusion and the lateral protrusion.

Clause 22. The strobel of any of the preceding clauses, wherein: the peripheral flange has a front protrusion protruding rearward from a front of the peripheral flange; and the outer edge of the tensile component extends rearward at and borders the front protrusion of the peripheral flange.

To assist and clarify the description of various embodiments, various terms are defined herein. Unless otherwise indicated, the following definitions apply throughout this specification (including the claims). Additionally, all references referred to are incorporated herein in their entirety.

An “article of footwear”, a “footwear article of manufacture”, and “footwear” may be considered to be both a machine and a manufacture. Assembled, ready to wear footwear articles (e.g., shoes, sandals, boots, etc.), as well as discrete components of footwear articles (such as a midsole, an outsole, an upper component, etc.) prior to final assembly into ready to wear footwear articles, are considered and alternatively referred to herein in either the singular or plural as “article(s) of footwear”.

“A”, “an”, “the”, “at least one”, and “one or more” are used interchangeably to indicate that at least one of the items is present. A plurality of such items may be present unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. All numerical values of parameters (e.g., of quantities or conditions) in this specification, unless otherwise indicated expressly or clearly in view of the context, including the appended claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about” whether or not “about” actually appears before the numerical value. “About” indicates that the stated numerical value allows some slight imprecision (with some approach to exactness in the value; approximately or reasonably close to the value; nearly). If the imprecision provided by “about” is not otherwise understood in the art with this ordinary meaning, then “about” as used herein indicates at least variations that may arise from ordinary methods of measuring and using such parameters. In addition, a disclosure of a range is to be understood as specifically disclosing all values and further divided ranges within the range.

The terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, or components. Orders of steps, processes, and operations may be altered when possible, and additional or alternative steps may be employed. As used in this specification, the term “or” includes any one and all combinations of the associated listed items. The term “any of” is understood to include any possible combination of referenced items, including “any one of” the referenced items. The term “any of” is understood to include any possible combination of referenced claims of the appended claims, including “any one of” the referenced claims.

For consistency and convenience, directional adjectives may be employed throughout this detailed description corresponding to the illustrated embodiments. Those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that terms such as “above”, “below”, “upward”, “downward”, “top”, “bottom”, etc., may be used descriptively relative to the figures, without representing limitations on the scope of the invention, as defined by the claims.

The term “longitudinal” particularly refers to a direction extending a length of a component. For example, a longitudinal direction of a shoe extends between a forefoot region and a heel region of the shoe. The term “forward” or “anterior” is used to particularly refer to the general direction from a heel region toward a forefoot region, and the term “rearward” or “posterior” is used to particularly refer to the opposite direction, i.e., the direction from the forefoot region toward the heel region. In some cases, a component may be identified with a longitudinal axis as well as a forward and rearward longitudinal direction along that axis. The longitudinal direction or axis may also be referred to as an anterior-posterior direction or axis.

The term “transverse” particularly refers to a direction extending a width of a component. For example, a transverse direction of a shoe extends between a lateral side and a medial side of the shoe. The transverse direction or axis may also be referred to as a lateral direction or axis or a mediolateral direction or axis.

The term “vertical” particularly refers to a direction generally perpendicular to both the lateral and longitudinal directions. For example, in cases where a sole is planted flat on a ground surface, the vertical direction may extend from the ground surface upward. It will be understood that each of these directional adjectives may be applied to individual components of a sole. The term “upward” or “upwards” particularly refers to the vertical direction pointing towards a top of the component, which may include an instep, a fastening region and/or a throat of an upper. The term “downward” or “downwards” particularly refers to the vertical direction pointing opposite the upwards direction, toward the bottom of a component and may generally point towards the bottom of a sole structure of an article of footwear.

The “interior” of an article of footwear, such as a shoe, particularly refers to portions at the space that is occupied by a wearer's foot when the shoe is worn. The “inner side” of a component particularly refers to the side or surface of the component that is (or will be) oriented toward the interior of the component or article of footwear in an assembled article of footwear. The “outer side” or “exterior” of a component particularly refers to the side or surface of the component that is (or will be) oriented away from the interior of the shoe in an assembled shoe. In some cases, other components may be between the inner side of a component and the interior in the assembled article of footwear. Similarly, other components may be between an outer side of a component and the space external to the assembled article of footwear. Further, the terms “inward” and “inwardly” particularly refer to the direction toward the interior of the component or article of footwear, such as a shoe, and the terms “outward” and “outwardly” particularly refer to the direction toward the exterior of the component or article of footwear, such as the shoe. In addition, the term “proximal” particularly refers to a direction that is nearer a center of a footwear component, or is closer toward a foot when the foot is inserted in the article of footwear as it is worn by a user. Likewise, the term “distal” particularly refers to a relative position that is further away from a center of the footwear component or is further from a foot when the foot is inserted in the article of footwear as it is worn by a user. Thus, the terms proximal and distal may be understood to provide generally opposing terms to describe relative spatial positions.

While various embodiments have been described, the description is intended to be exemplary, rather than limiting and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of the embodiments. Any feature of any embodiment may be used in combination with or substituted for any other feature or element in any other embodiment unless specifically restricted. Accordingly, the embodiments are not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents. Also, various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the attached claims.

While several modes for carrying out the many aspects of the present teachings have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which these teachings relate will recognize various alternative aspects for practicing the present teachings that are within the scope of the appended claims. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and exemplary of the entire range of alternative embodiments that an ordinarily skilled artisan would recognize as implied by, structurally and/or functionally equivalent to, or otherwise rendered obvious based upon the included content, and not as limited solely to those explicitly depicted and/or described embodiments.

Claims (20)

What is claimed is:

1. A strobel for an article of footwear, the strobel comprising:

a polymeric bladder defining an interior cavity and configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity, the polymeric bladder having a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity;

a first bond securing opposing inner surfaces of the polymeric bladder to one another and extending transversely inward from a medial side of the peripheral flange only partway transversely across the interior cavity to an end of the first bond;

a second bond separate and distinct from the first bond, the second bond rearward of the first bond, securing the opposing inner surfaces of the polymeric bladder to one another, and extending transversely inward from a lateral side of the peripheral flange only partway transversely across the interior cavity to an end of the second bond; and

a unitary tensile component disposed in the interior cavity and secured to the opposing inner surfaces of the polymeric bladder; wherein an outer edge of the unitary tensile component extends transversely inward at and borders a perimeter of the first bond both forward and rearward of the first bond and continuing around the end of the first bond, and borders a perimeter of the second bond both forward and rearward of the second bond and continuing around the end of the second bond, the unitary tensile component disposed between the end of the first bond and the end of the second bond.

2. The strobel ofclaim 1, wherein the polymeric bladder extends in a forefoot region and a midfoot region of the strobel and tapers in width in the midfoot region to a rear extent of the unitary tensile component.

3. The strobel ofclaim 1, wherein:

the unitary tensile component has an aperture in a forefoot region of the strobel disposed between a hallux portion and a second toe portion of the forefoot region; and

the opposing inner surfaces are bonded to one another at the aperture.

4. The strobel ofclaim 1, wherein the first bond curves rearward from the medial side of the peripheral flange.

5. The strobel ofclaim 1, wherein the second bond curves forward from the lateral side of the peripheral flange.

6. The strobel ofclaim 1, wherein:

the polymeric bladder includes a first polymeric sheet and a second polymeric sheet secured to one another at and forming the peripheral flange, the first bond, and the second bond; the opposing inner surfaces including a first inner surface of the first polymeric sheet and a second inner surface of the second polymeric sheet; and

the unitary tensile component includes a first tensile layer secured to the first inner surface, a second tensile layer secured to the second inner surface, and a plurality of tethers spanning the interior cavity from the first tensile layer to the second tensile layer and connecting the first tensile layer to the second tensile layer.

7. The strobel ofclaim 6, wherein;

the first polymeric sheet is joined to the first tensile layer at a first partial bond that protrudes inward from the first polymeric sheet toward the second polymeric sheet only partially across the plurality of tethers; and

the first partial bond extends across the first polymeric sheet from the first bond to the second bond.

8. The strobel ofclaim 1, wherein:

the peripheral flange has a medial protrusion protruding transversely inward at the medial side of the peripheral flange to define a boundary between a toe section of a forefoot region of the strobel and a metatarsal section of the forefoot region of the strobel; and

the outer edge of the unitary tensile component extends transversely inward at and borders the medial protrusion of the peripheral flange.

9. The strobel ofclaim 1, wherein:

the peripheral flange has a lateral protrusion protruding transversely inward at the lateral side of the peripheral flange to define a boundary between a toe section of a forefoot region of the strobel and a metatarsal section of the forefoot region of the strobel; and

the outer edge of the unitary tensile component extends transversely inward at and borders the lateral protrusion of the peripheral flange.

10. The strobel ofclaim 9, wherein:

the peripheral flange has a medial protrusion protruding transversely inward at the medial side of the peripheral flange between the toe section and the metatarsal section of the forefoot region of the strobel; and

the outer edge of the unitary tensile component extends transversely inward at and borders the medial protrusion of the peripheral flange.

11. The strobel ofclaim 10, wherein:

the polymeric bladder includes a first polymeric sheet and a second polymeric sheet secured to one another at and forming the peripheral flange, the first bond, and the second bond; the opposing inner surfaces including a first inner surface of the first polymeric sheet and a second inner surface of the second polymeric sheet;

the unitary tensile component includes a first tensile layer secured to the first inner surface, a second tensile layer secured to the second inner surface, and a plurality of tethers spanning the interior cavity from the first tensile layer to the second tensile layer and connecting the first tensile layer to the second tensile layer;

the first polymeric sheet is joined to the first tensile layer at a transverse partial bond that protrudes inward from the first polymeric sheet toward the second polymeric sheet only partially across the plurality of tethers; and

the transverse partial bond extends from the lateral protrusion to the medial protrusion.

12. The strobel ofclaim 1, wherein the peripheral flange is wider forward of the first bond than rearward of the first bond at both the medial side and the lateral side.

13. The strobel ofclaim 12, wherein the peripheral flange defines a groove extending lengthwise along the peripheral flange from the medial side to the lateral side and forward of the first bond.

14. A strobel for an article of footwear, the strobel comprising:

a polymeric bladder defining an interior cavity and configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity, the polymeric bladder having a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity;

a first bond securing opposing inner surfaces of the polymeric bladder to one another and extending transversely inward from a medial side of the peripheral flange only partway transversely across the interior cavity;

a second bond rearward of the first bond, securing the opposing inner surfaces of the polymeric bladder to one another, and extending transversely inward from a lateral side of the peripheral flange only partway transversely across the interior cavity; and

a tensile component disposed in the interior cavity and secured to the opposing inner surfaces of the polymeric bladder; wherein an outer edge of the tensile component extends transversely inward at and borders a perimeter of the first bond and a perimeter of the second bond;

wherein:

the peripheral flange has a lateral protrusion protruding transversely inward at the lateral side of the peripheral flange to define a boundary between a toe section of a forefoot region of the strobel and a metatarsal section of the forefoot region of the strobel;

the outer edge of the tensile component extends transversely inward at and borders the lateral protrusion of the peripheral flange;

the peripheral flange has a front protrusion protruding rearward from a front of the peripheral flange;

the outer edge of the tensile component extends rearward at and borders the front protrusion of the peripheral flange;

the peripheral flange has a medial protrusion protruding transversely inward at the medial side of the peripheral flange between the toe section and the metatarsal section of the forefoot region of the strobel;

the outer edge of the tensile component extends transversely inward at and borders the medial protrusion of the peripheral flange;

the polymeric bladder includes a first polymeric sheet and a second polymeric sheet secured to one another at and forming the peripheral flange, the first bond, and the second bond;

the opposing inner surfaces including a first inner surface of the first polymeric sheet and a second inner surface of the second polymeric sheet;

the tensile component includes a first tensile layer secured to the first inner surface, a second tensile layer secured to the second inner surface, and a plurality of tethers spanning the interior cavity from the first tensile layer to the second tensile layer and connecting the first tensile layer to the second tensile layer;

the first polymeric sheet is joined to the first tensile layer at a transverse partial bond that protrudes inward from the first polymeric sheet toward the second polymeric sheet only partially across the plurality of tethers;

the transverse partial bond extends from the lateral protrusion to the medial protrusion;

the first polymeric sheet is joined to the first tensile layer at a front partial bond that protrudes inward from the first polymeric sheet toward the second polymeric sheet only partially across the plurality of tethers; and

the front partial bond extends from the front protrusion rearward toward the transverse partial bond.

15. The strobel ofclaim 14, wherein:

the tensile component has an aperture in the forefoot region of the strobel disposed between a hallux portion and a second toe portion of the toe section;

the opposing inner surfaces are bonded to one another at a central bond at the aperture of the tensile component; and

the transverse partial bond and the front partial bond extend to the central bond.

16. The strobel ofclaim 14, wherein:

the first polymeric sheet is joined to the first tensile layer at a toe joint partial bond that protrudes inward from the first polymeric sheet toward the second polymeric sheet only partially across the plurality of tethers; and

the toe joint partial bond extends forward of the transverse partial bond and is non-intersecting with the transverse partial bond and non-intersecting with the front partial bond.

17. The strobel ofclaim 14, wherein:

the first polymeric sheet is joined to the first tensile layer at a first partial bond that protrudes inward from the first polymeric sheet toward the second polymeric sheet only partially across the plurality of tethers;

the first partial bond extends across the first polymeric sheet from the first bond to the second bond;

the first polymeric sheet is joined to the first tensile layer at a middle partial bond that protrudes inward from the first polymeric sheet toward the second polymeric sheet only partially across the plurality of tethers; and

the middle partial bond extends rearward of the transverse partial bond and forward of the first partial bond, and is non-intersecting with the transverse partial bond and the first partial bond.

18. A strobel for an article of footwear, the strobel comprising:

a polymeric bladder defining an interior cavity and configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity, the polymeric bladder having a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity; and

a tensile component disposed in the interior cavity and secured to opposing inner surfaces of the polymeric bladder; wherein the tensile component has an aperture in a forefoot region of the strobel between a hallux portion and a second toe portion of the forefoot region;

wherein the aperture is entirely surrounded by the tensile component; and

wherein the opposing inner surfaces are bonded to one another at the aperture.

19. The strobel ofclaim 18, wherein the peripheral flange has a medial protrusion protruding transversely inward at a medial side of the peripheral flange in the forefoot region and a lateral protrusion protruding transversely inward at a lateral side of the peripheral flange in the forefoot region; and

wherein an outer edge of the tensile component extends transversely inward at and borders the medial protrusion and the lateral protrusion.

20. The strobel ofclaim 19, wherein:

the peripheral flange has a front protrusion protruding rearward from a front of the peripheral flange; and

the outer edge of the tensile component extends rearward at and borders the front protrusion of the peripheral flange.

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